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Dan Holderness

Scott Larson

Updates
Current & Upcoming Work*

Lanes re-open:

The full 5-lane section of 1st Avenue north of Pipeline Road (near McDonald’s and Super 8) opened on December 13. The contractor is painting arrows in the center turn lane and will then remove the remaining cones and drums north of Pipeline Road on December 13 in the afternoon.

South of Pipeline Road, 1st Avenue will remain one lane in each direction with dedicated left turn lanes at the 1st Avenue & 6th Street intersection until permanent signals are installed (see "Looking ahead" below).

The speed limit is still 25 MPH on this section of 1st Avenue.

The full length of the west side sidewalk is open and the adjacent brick paver work is substantially complete.

Looking ahead:

Traffic signal pole delivery is now scheduled for Tuesday, December 18, and the electrical contractor is determined to get the traffic signals installed and operating at 1st Avenue & 6th Street by the end of the week of December 17.

All lanes south of Pipeline Road will be open once the permanent signals are installed.

The warmer temperatures will allow permanent concrete to be poured on December 14 at the McDonald’s parking lot and the north half of Super 8’s driveway. The south half of Super 8’s driveway and the remainder of Super 7’s driveway will be poured December 17/18.

The project will be in winter shutdown mode in mid-to-late December, except for any traffic signal and lighting work that is not as dependent on the weather. The project team will then review the work to be completed next spring and develop a schedule for completion.

E. 7th Street between 1st Avenue and E. 2nd Avenue is closed for total reconstruction. Use E. 9th Street to access the Iowa River Landing. A construction access road connected to 1st Avenue near the railroad crossing minimizes traffic impacts from the large redevelopment projects in the Iowa River Landing.

Southbound 1st Avenue drivers wanting to continue south through the 1st Avenue project work zone (blue path) must be in the right lane immediately after passing the I-80 eastbound off-ramp.

Southbound 1st Avenue drivers wanting to turn left onto E. 9th Street (black dash path) must be in the left lane immediately after passing the I-80 eastbound off-ramp.

Channelizing devices will separate the two lanes immediately south of the off-ramp. Both the Magellan Pipeline access and the dedicated southbound right turn lane onto 9th Street are maintained.

Southbound 1st Avenue traffic

Merging Traffic

How to Merge Efficiently on 1st Avenue

When traffic is slow and heavy, merging too early can create traffic backups. During peak traffic times on 1st Avenue, using a "zipper merge" can keep traffic moving and reduce traffic backups.

A "zipper merge" is when drivers use both lanes of traffic until they reach the defined merge area, and then alternate in "zipper" style into the open lane. This maximizes road space, reduces congestion, and allows both lanes to move at similar speeds.

How to "Zipper Merge"

Watch for signs giving drivers notice that there is a merge ahead

Stay in your lane up to the point of merge

Take turns with drivers to safely ease into the remaining lane

Always merge when it is safe

Merging FAQs

When is it best to use the zipper merge?
When traffic is congested and traveling at slower speeds, it is best to remain in your lane until the point where traffic can take turns merging, which is indicated by a "BEGIN MERGE" sign.

When is it best to merge early?When traffic conditions are light and vehicles are traveling at highway speeds, it is best to merge as soon as safely possible.

Duct Banks

In anticipation of the project, underground duct banks were proactively constructed in 2017. These duct banks provided places for the private utilities companies to relocate their overhead and underground facilities to be out of the way before the 2018 improvement projects. The duct banks should minimize delays caused by private utility relocations, which can be common during street projects.